HEART POUNDING IN her chest, Nyssa held her breath nearly the whole of the way. She wasn't sure if he would come, what with her sister's warning. Nonetheless, she straightened her room, downing a single shot of whiskey from her cabinet to settle her nerves.
There was a knock on the door from the tunnels, and her heart leaped in her throat.
“You came,” she managed upon opening the door.
Nadir smiled at the ground and then back up at her. “Yeah, well, don’t talk about it; otherwise, I’ll be second-guessing—well, hundredth guessing—my life choices right now.”
She sighed at the gorgeous man standing in the shadows as she stepped backward. Her stomach knotted with the tension between them, and she felt her muscles awaken as she remembered their kiss.
“Are you going to stand there staring at me, or are you going to kiss me?” she finally asked.
“I’m not sure you deserve it," he said, deliberately stepping around her. "Luring me into your room. Knowing we could both die tomorrow at the hands of your terrifying sister all because of one night.”
“So… kissing you is something I should have to earn?” she asked as she lifted her chin, watching him walk around her still.
“Convincing me to give in to you, yes. You're still a bit drunk, I believe.”
She resisted the urge to laugh. “Aren’t you already here?” she mocked.
“Came up here to talk is all,” he shrugged. “We were having a nice conversation downstairs before you tried to seduce me.”
“Talk?”
“Yeah.” He pulled a tray from behind his back then, to which she clapped her hand over her mouth as laughter filled her. “And I brought food. Thought you could use the sobering up.”
“You’re an idiot,” she mused.
Nadir gave her a crooked grin before leaving her side and setting the tray down on the bed. She closed the door and leaned her back against it, sighing as she met his deliberate gaze. His eyes traveled over her once before he then wandered about the room. A low whistle emitted from his lips.
"This is much grander than the room your Belwark stuck me in," he uttered.
"Guest rooms aren't built for the long term," she replied.
His finger tapped on a golden horse trinket sitting on her dresser before lifting open the lid to the jewelry box stuffed with jewels she had no interest in wearing.
"Golden horses. Shiny, unworn, jewels..." His brow raised at her. "Is there anything in this room that is actually yours, or is it all gifts from Dreamers who've tried to woo you over the years?"
"How could you possibly know that?" she asked incredulously.
He lifted the golden horse off the dresser, turning it over in his hand, and then he tossed it over his shoulder. The noise of it hitting the stone floor echoed in the room.
"You're breaking my things?" she asked him.
"Tell me you actually liked that thing or even remember who gave it to you, and I'll put it back together."
Nyssa bit her twisting lips, hating that he was right, and Nadir smirked at her in response.
"What else should I throw out, Princess?" he dared.
Her eagle screeched from the window.
Nadir flinched, eyes wide towards the beast, and then his gaze narrowed with knowing.
"You've an eagle?" he asked her.
"I do," she replied.
"And your sister has a raven?"
